| Full text | |
| Author(s): |
Azevedo-Silva, Marianne
;
Lemos, Alessandra S. M.
;
Goncalves-Neto, Salatiel
;
Salles, Luis F. P.
;
Pereyra, Mariana
;
Christianini, Alexander, V
;
Souza, Anete P.
;
Oliveira, Paulo S.
Total Authors: 8
|
| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY; v. N/A, p. 7-pg., 2023-02-06. |
| Abstract | |
Habitat fragmentation is considered an important threat to biodiversity, increasing species exposure to edge effects. The Brazilian Cerrado savanna is considered a biodiversity hotspot and has been converted to small, isolated fragments due to human activities. Ant communities and colony survivorship are known to be affected by edge effects in Cerrado, but to date there is no information on the genetic diversity of ant colonies at the edge of fragmented areas. Here, we investigate if colony genetic diversity and structure of Odontomachus chelifer (Latreille) ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) are subject to edge effects in a Cerrado reserve in southeast Brazil. Using microsatellites, we evaluated the number of breeders (queens and males) and the genetic diversity in O. chelifer colonies located in the interior versus edge of a Cerrado fragment. All O. chelifer nests had multiple queens, which presented a low mating frequency. The number of breeders and most estimates of genetic diversity did not differ between colonies at the edge versus interior of the fragment. Genetic structure was not influenced by nest location as well. However, we detected a small and positive increase in the observed heterozygosity in colonies located at fragment edges. High heterozygosity is thought to be particularly important in fast-changing environments, such as edges, providing an advantage for genetic diversity. Further investigation is needed to assess in greater detail how habitat loss affects O. chelifer biology. Our study is a first step toward elucidating edge effects on genetic diversity of ant colonies, a topic still poorly explored in tropical environments. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 17/18291-2 - Biodiversity and molecular ecology of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) along a latitudinal gradient in the Cerrado |
| Grantee: | Marianne Azevedo Silva |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate |
| FAPESP's process: | 22/06529-2 - Ecology of neotropical ants: tritrophic interactions, associated microbiota, and population genetics |
| Grantee: | Paulo Sergio Moreira Carvalho de Oliveira |
| Support Opportunities: | BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Regular Research Grants |
| FAPESP's process: | 19/12683-1 - The use of molecular markers in the investigation of polydomy in a Cerrado ant, Camponotus leydigi (Formicidae: Formicinae) |
| Grantee: | Salatiel Gonçalves Neto |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation |
| FAPESP's process: | 14/23141-1 - Ecology of interactions, behavioral ecology, and genetics of neotropical ant populations |
| Grantee: | Paulo Sergio Moreira Carvalho de Oliveira |
| Support Opportunities: | BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Regular Research Grants |
| FAPESP's process: | 17/16645-1 - Molecular ecology of neotropical ants |
| Grantee: | Paulo Sergio Moreira Carvalho de Oliveira |
| Support Opportunities: | BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Regular Research Grants |
| FAPESP's process: | 18/02769-3 - The influence of interspecific interactions on the evolutionary dynamics of cooperation |
| Grantee: | Luis Francisco Prado Pinheiro Ferreira Salles |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate |